II. International Seljuk Historical Geography Symposium FULL TEXT BOOK-I
NAHĀVAND: A CITY IN THE JEBĀL REGION IN THE SELJUQ PERIOD
Yayıncı:
Necmettin Erbakan Üniversitesi Yayınları
After the Nahāvand War (642), the Arabs who advanced to the center of Iran, encountered a mountainous area here. That’s why they named this region “ Jebāl “, which means “Mountains” in their language. Nahāvand which was established in the south of Hamadan, is defined by the medieval Islamic geographers as the city in the Jebāl which is famous for its abundant blessings and fruits. Nahāvand whose history goes back to ancient times, was an important city during the Sāssānids (226-651) period. However, Nahāvand gained its real fame with the “ Nahāvand War”, which took place between the Sāssānid and Islamic armies. Thus, the Islamic domination in the city began. After this date, the city came under the rule of the Umayyads (661-750), Abbāsids (750-1258), Sāmānids (819-1005) and Buwayhids (932-1062), and for a while it was also under the rule of local dynasties such as Hasan al-Wayh (959-1015) and Qāqūyids (1007-1119). Seljuqs interest in the Jebāl region started right after they declared their independence. Ibrahim Yınal was commissioned by Tugrul Bey (1040-1063) to conquer the Jebāl region. Ibrahim Yınal also obeyed this ordered and established dominance in the Jebāl region, which also included Nahāvand. The dominance of the Seljuqs in the Jebāl region developed in two ways. One of these was the first period when local powers and Seljuq emirs came to the fore. The other was that Jebāl region remained within the borders of the Irāqi Seljuqs under administrative division that coincided with the reign of Sultan Sanjar (1118-1157). During the Seljuq period, Nahāvand witnessed some political and social events. One of them is the murder of Nizām al-Mulk near Nahāvand. The fact that the struggle of Berkyārūq (1092-1104) and Mahammad Tapar (1105-1118) took place near Nahāvand and then the rebellion attempt of the Seljuq Prince Mengubars in Nahāvand are examples of the events in this period. The religious status of the city during the Seljuq period is understood from the records in Abd al-Jalel Qazwīnī’s Kitāb al-Nakz. Nahāvand, where people with Shafii thought lived during this period, also witnessed the “Fake Prophet Incident” in 1105, in which a name from Sevad took off. In terms of economy, the most important power in the hands of the city saffron and fruit production. On the other hand, Nahāvand is a center famous for its mints. The Nahāvand mint, which continued its operation from the Ashkānī period to the Qajar Dynasty (1794-1925) , was also used effectively during the Seljuq period. The Jame Mosque, which was built in the city, is also dated to Seljuq period. This study, the historical geography of the city of Nahāvand will be explained and the situation of Nahāvand after the activities of Seljuqs in the Jebāl region will be discussed. After mentioning the political and social events in the city during this period, the religious and scientific situation of Nahāvand will be explained. After giving information about the economic structure of the city, four examples of coins from Seljuq period that were struck in Nahāvand will be given. Finally, information will be given about Jame Mosque, which was built in the city
